A NEW feature horse race on January 21 has attracted extensive off-island interest.
The $25,000 Miners Rest Cup will be held on Maritime Day and will benefit six island volunteer organisations.
The visitor demand has led to most of the island’s accommodation being booked out and the Racing Club is calling for more accommodation – around 20 more beds are needed.
Meanwhile, the King Island Racing Season Trial Day was finally held last Saturday in bright sunshine and what could be called summer conditions.
The scheduled trail days on November 19 and 26 were cancelled due to the extremely wet racetrack and meant more anxiety for the King Island Race Club as this meant another change to the calendar.
The Official Trial Day held last Saturday and Ladies Day, the first race day is Saturday, December 10.
The rains held off and the Official Trial Day weatherwise was perfect.
It was the first opportunity for local trainers, jockeys, owners, and members to view and test out this racing season’s imported mainland horses while mixing it up with the island-based thoroughbred pacers and gallopers.
When the King Island Racing Club announced that this year’s season was under threat due to lack of island racehorses, six mainland trainers banded together and supported the Club.
Victorian trainer Henry Dwyer led the field of Melbourne Cup-winning trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Andrew Noblet, Archie Alexander, and Andrew Bobbin purchased six horses in an online horse sale and supplemented the island’s racehorse numbers and dispersed among local trainers.
Trainers Chris Diplock and Shane Bottomley from Victoria have also relocated horses and life to the island and are based at Rod and Val McGarvie’s property. On Saturday’s Trial Day a few of the imports were a bit skittish as they are still acclimatising, however once mounted, they settled when on the track. The day was without incident.
King Island Race Club president, Audrey Hamer said all went well.
“The season has kicked off.
“Thank you to all those that came Sunday morning to help clod the track and with other preparations.
“We are still looking for more prizes for Ladies Day, December 10.
“The events will be in the mounting yard. Be great to see you all dressed up because it’s fun.”
Before his race, local trainer, Ian Johnson, said that he’s very happy with Sky Ninja whose nickname is Turtle.
“I’m happy. Turtle has trained well, four days a week on a jogger and three under saddle,” he said.
“I’m not sure if a wobbly or a thoroughbred.
He’s still young and trying to work it out. It’s a privilege to be training under Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
He was even more happy after Sky Ninja ridden by Jamie Gibbons won his trial. Contact 0428621297 or lashayjoslin@hotmail.com if you can assist with home hosting a visitor or if you can provide any form of accommodation.